Meghamalai in September is the soft re-opening but with the first fortnight still under SW monsoon influence. Rainfall 200-350mm across 16-20 wet days at the 1500m elevation, most in the first three weeks. Daytime 20-23C, nights 15-17C, humidity dropping toward 85 percent. The 18-hairpin Bodinayakanur-Highwavys ghat road's last 25km stabilises in the third week — closures drop from 2-3 per week to under 1 from Sep 25 onward; 4WD-recommended through the month though regular cars manageable from Sep 25. The Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary (2018-notified, 269 sq km) estate-walks resume mid-month on partial schedule. Lion-tailed Macaque (LTM, IUCN endangered) troops become more visible as rain eases. Nilgiri Tahr at higher grasslands return to predictable patterns. Highwavys Estate (Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation, ₹6,000-12,000 with meals) and Manalar Estate (₹4,000-8,000) resume taking new confirmed advance bookings from mid-September; the late-September window often has open slots not present in October-February. The 4-hour Madurai-Meghamalai drive (130km via Theni) workable.

Why September scores 6.0/10